My Journey: As a self taught software developer
Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.
Hi, I’m Sumair, and this is the story of how I became a software developer without a computer science degree—and what inspired me to dive into the world of software development.
I'll be sharing my journey—transitioning from a business background to coding, joining Microverse, learning how to learn, open source work, gaining valuable experience, and how this exposure transformed me.
Early Fascination Around Computers
I've always been a tech-savvy kid. I started using command-line programs as early as the 1st grade and even launched a small business installing Windows 98 for friends and relatives. Of course, that didn’t last long—my mom wasn’t thrilled about me skipping homework to tinker with computers.
I grew up during a time when new tech giants were constantly emerging. Companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Apple were dominating headlines. Smartphones were becoming gateways to entirely new worlds, and the founders of these companies—the tech billionaires—were the superstars.
At first, I was more interested in the business side of things, not so much the technical side. As a business student, I devoured books on innovation, leadership, and the technology revolution. I always dreamed of becoming a tech CEO one day.
I enrolled in a business degree program, convinced it would pave the way to success. But after four years of studying business, I had an epiphany: if I wanted to make an impact in tech, I needed to understand the technical side too. And so, my journey into software development began.
Discovering Web Development
I took a basic HTML and CSS course in university, but the way it was taught failed to ignite the spark I was looking for. So, I started researching web development technologies online and discovered freeCodeCamp. I would spend hours and hours going through the curriculum and felt like this is something I can become really great at, and my perspective about software development shifted from something out of reach to something within my grasp.
This sparked my interest in emerging technologies, and I joined a government-sponsored program for emerging tech in Pakistan called PIAIC.
There, I connected with like-minded individuals who fueled my growing passion for technology. The incredible energy and enthusiasm of that community completely changed my trajectory.
I learned about Blockchain’s potential and the protocols used for various applications. Although I didn’t pursue blockchain development as a career, it opened my mind to countless possibilities.
I made it my mission to become a world-class developer. I was hungry and foolish. But as is often the case with lofty goals, the path wasn’t as smooth as I initially imagined.
Learning to Learn
I had to unlearn everything I thought I knew about learning and basically start from scratch.
I had to develop a growth mindset and create a solid productivity system.
"Most of our education system often emphasizes rote memorization and discourages deep understanding."
Many of us carry baggage from past educational experiences, and I was no exception. I wasn’t using the best strategies to learn coding efficiently. I found myself in the dreaded tutorial hell—constantly learning new technologies (or so I thought) without actually applying them to real projects.
That’s when I realized I needed to stop relying on someone else—like YouTube tutorials—to spoon feed me. The only way to truly learn was to take control and start building things on my own, guided by books and official documentation. To achieve this, I needed a productivity system a to plan my weeks and days as well as a better learning system, ensuring I was moving in the right direction.
I came across The Science of Self learning by Peter Hollins. Reading it I picked up some really effective strategies to supercharge my learning. It gave me strategies to ensure that I was learning in the most time effective manner and the information I learned settled in my long term memory.
My Takeaways from the book
- Deploy the SQ3R reading method (survey, question, read, recite, and review).
- Take notes using the cornell note taking system.
- Get a productivity system in place.
- Sketch up a plan and stick to it.
- Build lasting self-descipline to learn.
Finding Focus with Deep Work
Another favorite, Deep Work by Cal Newport helped me see through the fog.
To be a great software developer , it is paramount that you have the ability to focus for long hours on end without getting bored. The ability to work on cognitively challenging tasks with great focus. That’s deep work.
The core idea of the books is:
"The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. As a consequence, the few who cultivate this skill and make it the core of their working life will thrive."
To become an excellent developer, I needed to schedule uninterrupted deep work sessions focused on learning, building, and validating. The mental framework of deep work was quite effective for me in understanding my own focus patterns and how I could cultivate longer sessions of undistracted deep work.
Microverse: A Turning Point
Microverse proved to be the perfect playground to practice my ideas about becoming an effective remote developer, offering an environment where I could build on my strenghts and identify my weaknesses, but in a coding bootcamp setting.
Microverse provided an ecosystem where I could learn independently—no hand-holding. I built my own projects, collaborated with others, and gained the confidence I needed. Working with people from 30 different nationalities, I gained a rich cultural experience and made lasting friendships. It also exposed me to the power of remote work, along with its challenges and how to overcome them.
During my time at Microverse, I dove deep into React.js, Ruby on Rails, data structures and algorithms, built projects and honed my problem solving skills. I also trained as a code reviewer—something that became a valuable asset when I later got into open-source work.
Facing the Tech Layoffs
After completing a remote internship and a few contract projects, I finally felt confident in my skills as a software engineer and problem solver.
Then, the tide turned. It was the time of the tech layoffs. Everyone was panicking. Almost daily, the headlines were about FAANG companies laying off employees. Landing a job became increasingly difficult.
But I persevered and decided to focus on open-source work, which turned out to be a pivotal decision.
The Outreachy Internship
I applied for the Outreachy internship and was selected to work on a Mozilla project. The project involved developing a new performance comparison tool primarily for Mozilla developers.
Now, I’m working alongside Mozilla staff engineers—a huge leap for me. For the first time, I felt like the sky was the limit. I couldn’t believe I was working directly with engineers from a company as renowned as Mozilla. It was an incredible opportunity to learn from the best.
Conclusion
My journey from a business student to a self-taught software developer has been filled with challenges, growth, and countless lessons. It's a path that required resilience, a willingness to embrace discomfort, and the courage to continually push beyond my limits. But through it all, I've learned that the most valuable skill you can develop is the ability to adapt and learn on your own terms. Whether you're just starting out or facing your own obstacles, remember that every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals. Embrace the journey, trust in your abilities, and keep moving forward. The possibilities are endless when you believe in yourself and your potential.